Muncie panhandler pleads guilty to thefts

MUNCIE, Ind. — A Muncie panhandler accused of stealing — silver bars valued at $20,000, among other things — from a Muncie woman who was trying to help him has entered guilty pleas to three counts of theft.

Jeffrey Ray Kidd — who will observe his 26th birthday on Sunday — in recent days entered the guilty pleas in Delaware Circuit Court 4.

Judge John Feick took a plea bargain in the case — the terms of which were not released — and tentatively set sentencing for Nov. 30.

Authorities said the victim met Kidd last year as he was standing alongside a street seeking financial donations. She took him to her westside home for a meal, and made other efforts to help Kidd and his family.

City police said Kidd sold items he stole from his benefactor’s home, also including guns. The silver was sold for less than a third of its estimated value, investigators said.

A domestic battery charge pending against Kidd would also apparently be resolved through the plea agreement.